DETROIT MEDICAL RESPITE:A PATHWAY TO BETTER HEALTH

Detroit Medical Respite: A Pathway to Better Health

Imagine a homeless woman recently discharged from a hospital to an emergency shelter after having several toes amputated due to chronic diabetes. Forced to leave the shelter each morning and unable to return until 6 p.m., she wanders the streets all day with no place to rest, take medication or clean and dress her wounds. She struggles to find food, a bathroom or a place to sit. Exhausted and unable to manage her care, she seeks support once again in the emergency room.

Homeless individuals are in poorer health and have higher mortality rates than those with stable housing, and unless something happens, the cycle will continue. The Salvation Army is about to change that.

DETROIT MEDICAL RESPITE TO THE RESCUE

When a homeless person needs critical care or surgery, hospitals take them in. The problem is, when they are well enough to go home, where does the hospital send them? Studies show that homeless individuals have higher hospital readmission rates, most occurring within the first two weeks after discharge. Unfortunately, then, the cycle begins again. Medical respite is a cost- effective and dignified approach to filling this gap in services by providing specialized care for recuperation and follow up along with a safe place to recover. Local shelters can provide a safe place to sleep, but require the person to leave each morning. How will they keep their wound clean? Where will they find a place to rest when they need to? How will they maintain their medication schedule and set up follow up doctor’s appointments?

What We Provide

A safe, clean 24-hour healing environment

Discharge plan coordination

Medication management and compliance

Wound and post-surgery education and self-care management

Coordinate medical appointments and transportation

Coordinate behavioral health

Provide nutritional support

Utilization of prescribed home health services

Case management

Around-the-clock access to someone who cares

Patient Referrals

Admission Criteria

Age 18 or over

Homeless or imminently homeless

Needs recuperative services

Does not require more than minimal assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s)

Free from communicable disease

Is psychiatrically stable (i.e. not a danger to self or others)

Does not require secured environment for dementia care

Post-acute medical illness that requires short-term supportive care

Ambulatory with or without an assistive device

Willing to participate with program rules and self-care activities

Medical Respite Significantly Reduces ER and Readmission Costs

Referrals

Hospital discharge nurses, doctors, social workers and case managers may refer patients between the hours of 9 am-4pm Monday-Friday by calling (313) 556-5555.